New Jersey § 5:8-57

§ 5:8-57.

Any person violating any provision of a law or regulation administered by the control

commission shall, in addition to any other sanctions provided in section 8 of P.L.1954,

c. 5 ( C. 5:8-57 ), be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $7,500 for the first offense and

not more than $15,000 for the second and each subsequent offense. For the purpose of construing this section, each statutory violation shall constitute

a separate offense, except that a second and subsequent offense shall not be deemed

to exist unless an administrative or court order has been entered in a prior, separate

and independent proceeding. In lieu of an administrative proceeding or an action in the Superior Court, the

Attorney General may bring an action in the name of the control commission for the

collection or enforcement of civil penalties for the violation of any provision of

a law or regulation administered by the control commission. Such action may be brought in a summary manner pursuant to “the penalty enforcement

law” ( N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq. ) and the rules of court governing actions for the collection of civil penalties in

the municipal court or Superior Court where the offense occurred. Process in such action may be a summons or warrant and in the event that the defendant

in such action fails to answer such action, the court shall, upon finding an unlawful

action, conduct or practice to have been committed by the defendant, issue a warrant

for the defendant's arrest in order to bring such person before the court to satisfy

the civil penalties imposed. In any action commenced pursuant to this section, the court may order restored to

any person in interest any monies or property, real or personal, acquired by means

of an unlawful action, conduct or practice. Any action alleging the unlicensed conduct or practice of an activity regulated

by any law or regulation administered by the control commission shall be brought pursuant

to this section, or where injunctive relief is sought, by an action commenced in Superior

Court. In any action brought pursuant to P.L.1954, c. 5 ( C. 5:8-50 et seq. ), as amended and supplemented, the control commission or the court may order the

payment of costs to the State. Organizations registered with the control commission, holding a valid identification

number, and not suspended or revoked at the time of any such action, conduct or practice

shall not be subject to the provisions of this section.